Carbonation levels of IPAs

So, for a while, we have been playing with different carbonation level in our IPAs and DIPAs. When we first starting packaging Elevated, we were aiming for 2.3 volumes in the can and we were pretty happy with that, yet we kept on receiving feedback that complained about a lack of head retention. So we tested some of the higher rated IPAs on this site and BA and low and behold, sure enough lots more CO2. So we tried 2.4 volumes...then 2.5 volumes. We have gotten as high as 2.6 and we have noticed a huge difference in mouthfeel. Dryer due to carbonic acid no doubt. Better head retention. Bigger bitterness (again carbonic acid), and bigger aroma (think Willy Wonka’s fizzy lifting drink). That being said, the mouthfeel to me is a bit, well, spritzy. So I ask all of you, because I can’t test every top IPA out there, do you like IPAs and DIPAs that are truly lively with carbonation, or would you rather have one that is more tame and less fizzy? I tend to find the overall hop flavor to be more intense with a lower carbonation, but that’s only one part of the story. What do you all like?

There is a delicate balance between aroma and flavor with the hops. You need to get the aromatics in there but I definitely favor the less carbonated mouth feel. You can’t completely abandon the head retention issue but I don’t think it’s the key to success. If a vigorous pour leaves a finger or two of head that slowly dies but releases the aromatics of the hops, I am happy. From there I want the hop flavor to take over.

I hope that helps. I’d probably like your beer before adding the extra carbonation.

Good luck!

I’ve found a bit more carbonation can help carry the hop oils across the tongue without making them cloying. Some iPas seem to have a lot more of a candied note from late hopping and a resulting cloy to them...

I prefer slightly higher levels of carbonation in ipas, it can be toned down a little bit for a double

I like higher carbonation in almost any style, that’s just me I guess. Though when I tried Elevated I thought the appearance was quite good. For me I like the head formation on hoppy Brett stuff like rayon Vert. Just ridiculous and unnecessary, but I love it.

Originally posted by GT2
I like higher carbonation in almost any style, that’s just me I guess. Though when I tried Elevated I thought the appearance was quite good. For me I like the head formation on hoppy Brett stuff like rayon Vert. Just ridiculous and unnecessary, but I love it.

I think it depends on the IPA. I think you need to find the balance between bitterness, dryness, and carb level. Overall I like the less carbonated IPAs. Would a recipe modification not possibly be a better way to attack head retention issues? The elevated cans I had last summer were great, I’m surprised people would actually complain about the head retention.

Jeff as a comparison, we aim for 2.65 on our IPA. This is half because it aids in fobbing on our Meheen, but we really do like it at higher levels as well. I think it tends to make the beer drier like you mentioned as well as give an additional carbonic bite as well as the hop bite. To me, lighter beers are generally higher carb and heavier lower carb. This is a crazy general statement of course, but I tend to think of IPA as a style I want to seem ligh even if it might be pushing 7-8%. People want to be able to drink a few and I think the higher carb mouthfeel helps that. Now DIPA like mentioned above, can be lower.

Sorry for the rambly posts just a few thoughts I have.

Cheers

Anything over 2 is just too fizzy.

Originally posted by Gazza
Anything over 2 is just too fizzy.

I’ve founder higher carb levels produce more hop aroma, perhaps because the co2 bubbles carry volatile aromatic compounds. IPA must be dry for me to like it, and carbonic bite helps with that as well.